GOLD Coast’s Assisi Catholic College hosted students from six Franciscan schools in south-east Queensland for a day of on prayer, dialogue and advocacy calling for peace in the world.
The theme for the Student Justice and Peace Day, coordinated by Franciscan Schools Australia, was Francis Unfiltered.
Nearly 60 students from Years 9 and 10 and staff from Cannon Hill Anglican College, Mount Alvernia College, Padua College, Sophia College, St Francis College and Assisi College attended workshops centred on justice, advocacy, non-violence and peace-making.
It was an opportunity for them to learn about advocacy initiatives at different schools and see how young people could respond to local and global challenges with compassion and hope.
Students were engaged in understanding St Francis as a model for courageous Christian living in an unpredictable world.
St Francis College student Amelia said it was a wonderful day connecting with students from other Franciscan schools.
“It helped me realise that there are other kids nearby that share and live the messaging of our charism. Everyone participated in the set activities, which made the day even more fun,” she said.
Amelia encouraged students to embrace this opportunity.
“It reinforces our faith, connection to community and each other,” she said.
Another student Elizabeth said everyone was welcoming and open to meeting new people.
“We took part in activities focused on how St Francis would encourage us to care for our school environment, as well as group tasks that helped us connect with others and consider ways to live the messages of peace and justice in our school,” she said.
A commitment to peace
Putting their learnings into practice in the real world, the students were invited by Franciscan Father Joe McKay to sign a Peace Advocacy missive which will be sent to the Vatican and several Australian consulates and international organisations engaged in peacebuilding.
It called on leaders and institutions “to search for authentic peace”, “promote the culture of dialogue so that understanding and trust may develop among individuals and peoples”, and advocate for non-violent strategies and actions.
“As young people of faith, we wish to contribute with all our strength to give a real hope of justice and peace to the humanity of our time,” the letter said.
Franciscan Schools Australia animator Alison Stone said the day demonstrated the passion of young people to become agents of Gospel peace who shared a commitment to becoming “peace in the world”.
